Undergraduate Course: Philosophy and the Emotions (PHIL10253)
Course Outline
| School | School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | This course investigates philosophical controversies regarding the nature and significance of the emotions and the part the emotions play in human life.
Among the questions we consider: Are emotions best thought of states of our bodies, mental states, or causes of choice and action? In what sense can emotions be intentional, i.e., 'about' the world? Are our emotions under our control or responsive to reason? What role do the emotions play in knowledge, moral choice, or character? We will also consider how philosophers have analysed and evaluated specific emotions such as anger, fear, envy, curiosity, etc. |
| Course description |
COURSE OUTLINE
Philosophical accounts of the emotions
Feeling theories
Cognitive theories (judgments, perceptions, attitudes)
Motivational theories
Emotions and Morality
Emotions, Knowledge, and Inquiry
Understanding Particular Emotional Phenomena (possible topics include anger, awe, curiosity, fear, shame, envy, grief, anxiety)
REPRESENTATIVE TEXTS
Readings will be drawn from historical authors (e.g. Aristotle, Descartes, Hume, the Confucian tradition, W. James) and contemporary literature (e.g., Solomon,
Nussbaum, Brady, Teroni)
LEARNING EXPERIENCE
Seminars and tutorials will focus on active, collaborative, and inquiry-driven learning experiences.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
Students MUST have passed:
Knowledge and Reality (PHIL08017) AND
Mind, Matter and Language (PHIL08014)
|
Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | Please note: Students studying on MA Cognitive Science (Humanities) are permitted to take this course without having met the pre-requisites of Mind, Matter and Language and Knowledge and Reality. However, it is advisable that students discuss the suitability of the course with their Student Adviser and the course organiser before enrolling. |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | Visiting students should have completed at least 3 Philosophy courses at grade B or above. We will only consider University/College level courses. Applicants
should note that, as with other popular courses, meeting the minimum does NOT guarantee admission. These enrolments are managed strictly by the Visiting
Student Office, in line with the quotas allocated by the department, and all enquiries to enrol in these courses must be made through the CAHSS Visiting
Student Office. It is not appropriate for students to contact the department directly to request additional spaces. |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
|
| Academic year 2025/26, Available to all students (SV1)
|
Quota: 0 |
| Course Start |
Semester 1 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 32,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
164 )
|
| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
|
| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Midterm Essay 1 35% - 1500 words
Midterm Essay 2 35% - 1500 words
Final Revised Essay 30% - 2500 words |
| Feedback |
Individual written feedback on assessments, in-class group feedback |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Elaborate key disagreements among prominent philosophical theories of the nature of emotions
- Draw critically informed conclusions regarding the strengths and weaknesses of the most prominent philosophical theories of the nature of emotions
- Explain and evaluate rival views concerning the part that the emotions play in social, moral, and political life
- Explain and evaluate rival views concerning the part that the emotions play in inquiry and knowledge
- Offer substantial analyses of particular emotions enabling appraisal of the rationality, desirability, etc. of said emotions
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Reading List
Descartes, Passions of the Soul
James, 'What is an Emotion?'
Nussbaum, Upheavals of Thought
Brady, Emotional Insight |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Research and Enquiry: Analytical thinking, Critical thinking, Handling complexity and ambiguity
Personal and Intellectual Autonomy: Ethics and social responsibility, Self-awareness and reflection
Communication: Written communications, Verbal communication and presentation |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Prof Michael Cholbi
Tel:
Email: mcholbi@exseed.ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Ms Joan MacKenzie
Tel:
Email: jmacken8@ed.ac.uk |
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